The other two boys followed him.
Hallie met me around the front of the vehicle. “You’re sure it’s okay that I’m here?”
I glanced over at her as she pulled her coat tighter. So damn beautiful. “They’d be pissed if I didn’t bring you. And Aspen will be here, too. If it gets to be too much, just let me know.”
She bit the corner of her lip and nodded.
Luke waited for us at the bottom of the steps, taking Hallie’s other side. The door above opened, and Grae’s tiny form filled it. “My favorite boys.”
Charlie’s arms flew around her instantly. “Aunt G!”
You could just see a hint of a bump on her stomach if you looked closely enough. The thought had my chest squeezing. I was happy for her but scared as hell that her type 1 diabetes might create complications for her pregnancy.
She ruffled Drew’s hair. “How’s my heartbreaker?”
“Bruh, not the hair.”
Grae just grinned. “Get inside.”
Her smile widened as she took us. “Hallie! I’m so glad you came. Aspen’s been saying how amazing you are, and I’ve been more than a little jealous that she snagged you as a friend before I could.”
Hallie smiled back, but the action wavered a bit. “It’s so nice to meet you. Grae, right?”
She nodded. “I hope these hooligans haven’t been too hard on you.”
“Only when we’re playing Sorry!.”
Grae laughed. “Charlie?”
Hallie’s smile turned more genuine. “He’s a shark.”
“Completely.” Grae glanced at Luke. “Want to go a round on the Xbox?”
“Maybe a little later,” he mumbled.
Grae’s eyes flared at that. Luke always opted for video games over family time. But now, he followed us inside and stuck close as we hung up our coats.
Loud voices beckoned from the living room. We made our way deeper into the house, Luke and I sticking close to Hallie.
“Finally!” Nash called from the couch. “I swore he was lying about your existence, Hallie.”
Maddie’s dark hair shifted around her as she smacked her fiancé. “Don’t put her on the spot.” She glanced at Hallie and smiled. “Excuse Nash. He never did learn his manners, no matter how hard Kerry tried. I’m Maddie.”
Hallie gave a little wave.
Charlie raced back over to us, squeezing in and taking her hand. “This is my Hallie. She’s the bestest. She makes cookies and plays games and she’s real good at the voices with bedtime stories.”
Holt grinned from his spot next to Wren on the other couch. “Sounds like a winning combination to me. Hi, Hallie. I’m Holt, and this is my fiancée, Wren.”
Wren smiled widely. “I’d get up, but this basketball is making it a little hard these days.”
Caden’s lips twitched as he glanced at Grae. “I can’t wait until you’re basketball status, Gigi.”
Grae rolled her eyes. “That charmer is my fiancé, Caden.”
“Don’t forget baby daddy,” he cut in.
Hallie’s smile came more easily now. “Nice to meet you all.”
